He was discovered while vacationing in Barcelona when he accompanied a friend who was invited to attend a fashion show.

Whilst there, a booker noticed him and persuaded him to give the fashion world a go. His first professional experience was in Cibeles fashion show for Roberto Verino.

He left Bilbao, his hometown, and ventured into the fashion industry in Paris. In 2004, at the age of 18, Kortajarena became the face of Just Cavalli for Roberto Cavalli’s spring campaign which quickly jet started his career.

He made his international fashion show debut at the fall Milan and Paris fashion weeks for Emporio Armani and John Galliano.

Two months later, in New York, Steven Meisel photographed him for Versace.